The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation announced Oct. 27 the unanimous election of Hayward Pressman to its board of directors.
Pressman has bred and raced Thoroughbreds in New York since 1974. He has recently been working with the TRF, industry leaders, the New York Racing and Wagering Board, and the New York State Legislature in an attempt to develop a funding mechanism for retirement of all eligible retired Thoroughbred horses in the state of New York.
In addition, Pressman has established animals rights initiatives at Georgetown University Law Center, including an Animal Law Conference, Animal Law Post Graduate Fellowship, and Animal Protection Litigation Seminar.
“It’s a great honor to be elected to the board of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation,” Pressman said in a statement. “I’ve been interested in the safe retirement, rehabilitation, and retraining of Thoroughbreds for many years, and I’ve been active with TRF, New York Racing Association, The Jockey Club, and Jockeys’ Guild to get legislation passed to have a successful, ongoing retirement plan in place for retired Thoroughbreds.”
Diana Pikulski, executive director of external affairs for TRF, said in a release: “Hayward approached us years ago because he wanted to help and I have been working with him ever since. He brings the perfect mix of Thoroughbred horseman, philanthropist, legal scholar, and horse advocate to the TRF board. For years, he has devoted substantial time and resources to developing an industry funding program, and this development brings that concept closer to reality.”
Pressman, who received an L.L.B. from Georgetown University Law School and obtained a bachelors of science degree in accounting from New York University, is a member of the New York County Bar Association and New York State Bar Association. He is currently chairman of the board of directors of Savage Universal, a private corporation engaged in the manufacture of paper and board products for the photographic, picture frame, and graphic arts industry. Pressman’s wife, Donna, is an artist and has been a board member of the Children’s Aid Society.
